Island



(No Model.)

G. W. STAFFORD. SHEDDIN-G MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

No. 484,922. Patented Oct. 25, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. STAFFORD, OF PROVIDENCE, Rl-IODE ISLAND.

SHEDDING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 484,922, dated October 25, 1892.

Application filed July 6,1892. Serial No. 439,153. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. STAFFORD,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shedding Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. My invention relates to shedding mechanlsms for looms, and particularly to the grates or racks which are used in dobbies and other forms of shedding mechanisms for guiding and maintainingin proper position the hooks 0r hooked jacks which are connected indirectly with the harnesslevers, the said hooks or hooked jacks, under the control of appropriate pattern mechanism, being engaged by reciprocating knives or lifters and moved thereby to effect the turning of the harnesslevers upon their fulcra, and to occasion thereby the raising of the harness-frames. Heretofore the said grates or racks usually have been cast or otherwise formed each in one piece, and in consequence difficulty has been experienced in'introducing the jacks or hooks into the spaces between the bars or dents of the rack or grate in assembling the parts of the dobby, and also, subsequently, in removing the said hooks or jacks and replacing them when necessary, as when making changes and repairs.

My invention consists in a rack or grate composed of separable parts and possessing certain novel features of construction.

In the embodiment of my invention, which I have shown and described herein, the cap or top bar of the rack or grate may be disconnected readily from the lower toothed portion thereof in order to provide for the convenient insertion or removal of the jacks or hooks and may be replaced and secured again as readily, and the free ends of the bars or dents thereof have the cap or top bar so combined therewith and with the body of the rack or grate as to secure great strength and durability.

My invention will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then be particularly pointed out and distinctly defined in the claims at the close of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a View in front elevation of a rack or grate constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a view thereof in vertical section. Fig. t is a view in vertical section of a dobby having my improved rack or grate applied thereto.

In Fig. 1, 1 is one side framing of a dobby. 2 is one of the harness levers, which are mounted on the cross-rod 3, extending from one side framing of the dobby to the other. 4 is a so-called connector, one of which is pivoted upon each harness-lever, each connector having pivotally connected to the upper and lower ends thereof the hooks or hooked jacks 5 5, these last being engaged in the working of the dobby by the reciprocating lifters 6 6, in accordance with the arrangement of the indicators 7 upon the bars of the patternchain 8, passing around the pattern drum or cylinder 9, said indicators acting upon the under sides of the weighted levers 1O 10, those of the said levers which co-operate with the hooks of the, lower series having their inner ends arranged to come in contact with the under sides of such hooks, while the levers which co-operate with the hooks of the upper series have vertical wires 11 interposed between the inner ends thereof and the hooks last mentioned, all as usual.

At 12 I have shown my improved rack or grate, which is represented as combined with the hooks or hooked jacks of the upper series. The said hooks or hooked jacks pass through the slots or spaces in the said rack or grate between the bars or dents thereof, and thus thereby are held out of contact with each other and are guided and maintained in proper position.

The construction of the rack or grate 12 is shown clearly in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. As usual, the said rack or grate is formed with openings or slots 13 13 for the reception of the hooks or hooked jacks and with dents or bars 14. 14, separating the said openings or slots. The lower part or body is formed at the upper ends of its side pieces 26 26 with laterally-projecting lugs 16 16, in which are formed holes 17 17 for the passage of the. bolts or screws 18, by which the rack or grate is secured in place on the side framings 1 of the dobby. I form the bars or dents 14. free or separated at the upper ends thereof, as shown, so as to permit the hooks or hooked jacks readily to be dropped into the intervening spaces 13 and to be lifted therefrom, and provide a cap-bar 19, which when in place rests in contact with the upper ends of the dents or bars 14 and forms a cover which closes the ends of the spaces 13. The said cap-bar is provided at its ends with lugs 20, through which pass the securing bolts or screws which serve to hold the cap-bar in place. In the drawings I have shown the said screws entering holes in the lugs 21 21 on the side pieces ofthe lower part 15. The cap-bar preferably is formed on its under side with a series of notches 23 23, corresponding in number with the dents or bars 14 14. \Vhen such notches are formed in the cap-bar, the upper ends of the said dents or bars enter the said notches when the cap-bar is applied and take seats therein.

In order to guide the cap-bar as it is being applied and prevent it from becoming dislodged laterally, the main part of the cap-bar is ofiset or depressed below the lugs 20 20 and formed with shoulders 25 25 at the opposite ends thereof, which shoulders fit between the plane surfaces of the inner sides of the tops of the side pieces 26 26 of the body 15, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

To strengthen the dents or bars 14 14, swells or enlargements 27 27 are cast at the bases of the same upon the cross-bar 28 of the body 15 and the lower portions of the dents or bars 14 14.

For the guidance of the upper ends of the vertical wires or needles 11 lugs 29 29 are cast on one side of the cross-bar 28 and for the purpose of holding the said upper ends of the vertical wires or needles in place a cross-Wire 30 is placed adjacent to the free ends of the said lugs 29 29, the ends of the said wire being held in the lugs 31, which are 2 cast at the sides of the body of the rack or grate.

I claim as my invention- 1. The hook-guiding rack or grate for dobbies and the like mechanisms, comprising the lower or body portion provided with side pieces 26 26 and with dents or bars 14 14, having free or separated upper ends, the capbar having an ofiset portion fitting between said side pieces and also fitting against the free ends of said dents or bars, and means for securing the said cap-bar in place upon the upper ends of the said side pieces, substantially as described.

2. The hook-guiding rack or grate for dobbies and the like mechanisms, comprising the lower or body portion provided with dents or bars 14 14, having free or separated ends, the cap-bar formed with notches to receive the said upper ends of the dents or bars and provide seats therefor, and means for securing the said cap-bar in place upon the lower or body portion, substantially as described. I 3. The hook-guiding rack or grate for dobbies and the like mechanisms, comprising the lower or body portion formed with side pieces 26 26 and provided with dents or bars 14: 14; having free or separated upper ends, the capbar having lugs 20 20 and the otfs'et or depressed portion formed with shoulders at the opposite ends thereof, which fit between the side pieces 26 26, the said portion being also formed with notches 23 23, which receive the upper ends of the dents or bars and provide seats therefor, and means for securing the said cap-bar in place upon the body portion, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. STAFFORD.

Witnesses:

J. A. VIOKERY, F. A. WILDE. 

